Vast majority of Quebec optometrists to leave public health network [Video]

The majority of optometrists in Quebec will withdraw from the public health-care insurance program (RAMQ) as of Nov. 22, meaning that patients covered by the public plan will have to pay for services.

The Quebec optometrists association (AOQ) announced on Wednesday morning that 85 per cent of its members have decided to withdraw from RAMQ because of the “impasse” in negotiations surrounding the compensation paid to them by Quebec.

According to AOQ president Dr. Guillaume Fortin, optometrists’ operating costs have risen three times faster than the fee-for-service rates agreed by the Health Ministry.

In his opinion, negotiations to renew the agreement, which expired in 2020, are “not moving forward.”

“Optometry services will continue to be available, but the population currently covered by the public plan will no longer be covered as of November 22 and will therefore have to pay for services, which we regret,” said Fortin in a news …